The 2025 Officers of Goshen Chapter #382 OES W/Past Grand Matron, Marie Williams. Row one: Phyllis Biggs-Electa Star Point, Jon Perry-Chaplain, Barb Bowman, Worthy Matron, Marie Williams-Past Grand Matron, John Benthien-Worthy Patron, Amanda George-Esther Star Point, Glenn Goodwin-Marsha. Row two: Tammy Ward-Organist, Tracy Duvelius-Martha Star Point, Lonny Pittman-Associate Patron, Debbie Hicks-Secretary, Chris George-Warder, Katie Meyman-Conductress. Row three: Jessica Hornsby-Associate Conductress, Hazel Goodwin-Ruth Star Point, Melissa Pike-Adah Star Point, Mike McMillan-Treasurer, Sue McMillan Associate Matron. Steve Neal, Sentinel - not pictured. Photo courtesy B. Bowman for Goshen Chapter #382 Order of the Eastern Star.
Goshen Chapter had a busy month in November. A new core of officers was installed on Nov. 9, 2024, and another exciting year began.
We were honored to have in attendance the Associate Grand Conductress of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, Melissa Holmes and of course, our own Past Grand Matron, Marie Williams and Past Grand Patron, Barry Metzger. The Installation was very well done thanks to the Installing Officer Marian Koester Grand Representative to New Hampshire and Past Matron of Owensville Chapter, the Assisting Installing Officer Gary Koester Past Patron of Owensville Chapter, the Installing Chaplain Tracy Duvelius PM of Goshen Chapter, Installing Marshal Kathy Flynn Past Matron of Owensville Chapter, and the Installing Organist Dave Morgan Past Patron of Mt. Orab Chapter.
The following 18 Officers were installed: WM Barb Bowman, WP John Benthine, AM Sue McMillan, AP Lonny Pittman, Secretary Debbie Hicks, Treasurer Mike McMillan, Conductress Katie Meyman, AC Jessica Hornsby, Chaplain Jon Perry, Marshal Glenn Goodwin, Organist Tammy Ward, Adah Melissa Pike, Ruth Hazel Goodwin, Esther Amanda George, Martha Tracy Duvelius, Electa Phyllis Biggs, Warder Chris George, Sentinel Steve Neal. This core of officers is unique in that the AM, AP, Conductress and AC are all serving in their stations for the first time.
The complete core of 18 officers is dedicated to, supportive of, and excited about the future of the Goshen Chapter.
On Nov. 19, 2024, the Goshen Chapter had its first stated meeting with the 2025 Officers. It was a brief meeting; the business and the planning of our Christmas meeting and celebration were quickly taken care of. Most important was our charitable activities, beginning with our benevolence towards the girl and boy at the Pleasant Plain Children’s Home. Our WP does an excellent job of coordinating this project. We collected brownie mix for the GMC Food Pantry and chose them to receive the funds from our sunshine collection.
For our Dec. 17, 2024, meeting, the dining room was decorated using a Christmas theme with Christmas trees and candles.
Once again GMC Food Pantry was the recipient of our Christmas benevolence, the sunshine collection and a special collection to purchase gift cards to be given to the families for their children’s Christmas gifts.
Wrapping the benevolence gifts is a fun beginning of our evening. We were able to find all the requested gifts that the girl and boy had on their list.
As we move into 2025, we are optimistic about our future. Remembering our past and looking toward the future, we will continue our traditions, our concern for our members, benevolence, generosity, and loving-kindness. The Goshen Chapter is strong now and building a stronger future within our beautiful Order of the Eastern Star due to our dedicated members.